Ed’s Dilemma (and one possible solution)
By Emma.
Ed’s getting it in the neck at the moment. This happens when he goes away. It happened when ho took paternity leave and it’s happening again now he’s on honeymoon. Of course some do it constantly, but so much so that they are in serious danger of overplaying their hands. One can only write the same column so many times before it disappears in into its own sense of self-importance. But yes, when Ed goes away, the restless come out to play. Sadly, we must leave aside the classlessness of that. Politics is what it is.
Ed’s dilemma is not that there are people sniping at him. That happens to every leader. It’s how Blair knew he was doing it right. Ed’s problem is that there is a real tension between the two things the Party really wants. Members of the Party are determined to remake the Party into one in which members voices are heard, listened to and acted on. Ed has clearly made this his top priority and the emphasis being put on projects like Refounding Labour is truly admirable. At the same time, the Party also wants to see the shape of our party and platform that Ed wants to see. What shape are we going to be in. That’s understandable, but equally understandable is Ed standing firm and saying to members that this is up to us now.
Tonight I have been working on my personal submission for Refounding Labour. Mine will a bit of an essay – possibly even four essays. I fully intend to publish my answers here for people to read, and I don’t think there’s anything to stop others from doing the same.
So why not Ed?
What better way to show how seriously he takes this consultation than by submitting his own response? How better to show that there is form and shape to his vision but to lay it out to the Party members? How better to demonstrate that the Party is lead by Ed but informed by the members than to have the final document be written by us jointly?
When Ed gets back from honeymoon, he should put fingers to keyboard, and write the answers he envisages to the Big Questions. Making it clear that his is not the final answer, but a part of the vision puzzle.
Go on Ed – yours might even be better than mine!
Tags: Ed Miliband, Refounding Labour
Wednesday, June 1st 2011 at 14:30
on criticism :
sometimes it is imperative to consider the detail of any criticism,
but othertimes it is wise to scrutinise the source of the criticism.
In the latter case, the criticism may say more about complainant than complainee.
Wednesday, June 1st 2011 at 14:32
Whilst I understand the dilemma, and sympathise with enthusiastic party members or supporters who wish to see some clear definite leadership and optimistic vision from the elected leader, I think there is time available for Ed to continue with the [essential] work on Refounding Labour (& National Policy Forum & Policy Review).
Those opposed to the Labour Party being changed from how it’s been for years, may wish to rush or disrupt or spoil – but with no general election in the offing, just yet, there isn’t any real pressure to get the consultation process concluded or shortened or dropped immediately.
I trust that Ed is too shrewd and intelligent to create a vacuum by accident. It must be a deliberate attempt to coax numbers of people to be more active, engaged, involved and have their voices heard.
Just personally, I would like to hear more from him … but I’m prepared to be patient. (e.g. he indicated in his Oslo speech that neoliberalism is the cause not the solution to our current problems. I’d like to hear further).
Your suggestion would be a good one in an ideal world, but in imperfect circumstances could be open to wilful misuse against Ed by unscrupulous people at a later date. We saw how Ed won the leadership election in the wider party, but predictably [after years of Blair's top-down leadership] did not carry a majority of the PLP – which some newspapers seized on in an attempt to discredit Ed & undermine his leadership from the start.
Wednesday, June 8th 2011 at 16:48
Hello Emma,
Having had a further week to reflect, in which I’ve read some unhelpful *helpful* blogs & comments on other sites, I’ve changed my mind and come around to your way of thinking.
On balance, you’re right in your sentiments; there’d be more to gain by Ed participating in the discussion.